Footsteps & Fire - Day 3: Laces Over Chains

So… remember how I was all fired up about the bike? I took my Orbea Orca off the home trainer, cleaned her up, greased the chain like a proper grown-up cyclist, checked the tyres and everything. She was ready for the open road. I was ready for glory.

But then… life happened.

Pit stop: quick hike at the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon

Between hitting the entire Route 66, testing e-foil in Mokum, pushing clients to hit their step goals, squeezing in study sessions and chasing after wisdom like it’s on discount at Zara, the days disappeared. And just like that, the bike sat beautifully untouched. Sorry, OOM30 (Yes that's what I called my bike).

Trying hard not to fall off the board to not get wet

In the meantime, I did what I could do... I laced up my Hokas and hit the pavement. Not gracefully, mind you. It was more of a bounce-wobble-gasp combo, but I got out there.

And I’m proud to report… I ran 5km non-stop. Thrice.

The first time felt like a fluke. The second time? A miracle. My VO₂ max has gone from tragic to slightly-less-tragic: 20.3 as of this morning. Still not winning any races, but hey, given the lovely cocktail of systemic sclerosis and pollen allergies (graminées those pesky grasses that hijack your airways), I’ll take it.

These days, I’m learning to run slower. On purpose. Zone 2 training, they call it. It’s supposed to build endurance, but mostly it builds character, the kind that resists the urge to sprint just to feel something. I’m learning that going slow doesn’t mean going soft. It means going smart.

Like with inflammation: you don’t fight fire with fire. You douse it with movement, breath, and gentleness. The hard kind of gentle. The one that asks you to show up anyway.

So that’s where I’m at. Still showing up. Less wheels, more footsteps. Still surrounded by fire... but this time, I’m walking through it instead of letting it burn me out.

Side note (because life isn’t just training):

Last night I finished Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency on Netflix, and I’m still recovering emotionally. Season 1 completely swept me in... off-beat characters, chaotic everything, the Rowdy 3 (Martin’s beard!!),and Bart… honestly, what a character. Unhinged in the most hypnotic way. I didn’t expect to love it this much.

Season 2? Loopy. Everywhere. But somehow, by the end, it all circles back and you remember why you cared in the first place. I’m such a sucker for sci-fi, it’s hard to admit out loud but here we are.

And now that it’s over, I feel like I just said goodbye to a weird wonderful friend. The thought of picking a new series is like the awkward dread of small talk with strangers. I know I’ll find another story eventually, but right now, I just want to sit with this one a little longer.